Preparing for the day your home hits the market can feel
overwhelming. Presented with a mixture of emotions,
we understand the desire to look for ways to make the
process go as quickly and smoothly as possible. Whether
you’re in the market now or are thinking about selling
in the near future, running through this checklist will empower
you to start the process of preparing your property to sell. Even
in a strong seller’s market, it’s important to make your home the
perfect environment for motivated and selective buyers alike.
1. DEPERSONALIZE
The biggest change home sellers have to make is not in their décor
but in their thinking. Seeing your house, which has sentimental
as well as financial value, as no longer just a home, but a product
for sale is a critical first step. When you make your home neutral,
potential buyers can more easily envision themselves living in
the space. Letting go of old memories can be hard, but now is
the time to think about accommodating potential buyers and
capturing the best sale price. Aim to achieve a blank canvas,
removing home décor that reflects more eclectic tastes and
tucking away keepsake items such as photos and personal artifacts.
2. DECLUTTER
Creating the illusion of more space in your home is one of the
key secrets to effective staging. You want potential buyers to feel
the value of your property, and this begins with making the space
look as big and open as possible. Not only does clutter make a
room look smaller but a tidy, decluttered space demonstrates
that your home has enough storage space to be well-organized.
When decluttering, focus on making your entryway open
and welcoming, clear the hallways, and showcase the living
room. Ensure the kitchen layout flows (which probably means
tucking away that garbage can from a narrow walk way)
and bathrooms appear organized. Also, don’t forget storage
areas. While they’re being put to work after depersonalizing,
they should also showcase their potential for use, so clear out
unwanted items to avoid them being packed to the brim.
your home in good living condition before it hits the
market will increase the value of your home and increase
the number of people interested in its purchase.
When scouting out needed repairs, start with any that
create a significant eyesore but that are relatively easy
to remedy. Replace burned-out lightbulbs and address
holes in the walls, leaky faucets, and drawers that don’t
close properly. You might also consider giving your walls
a fresh coat of paint, using a neutral colour palette.
Consider outsourcing repairs for less basic work, such
as broken tiles or recaulking your tubs, showers, and
sinks. Make sure to visit the Preferred Vendors page on
FarisTeam.ca for our list of recommended professionals.
5. DO A DEEP CLEAN
The last piece to getting your interior walk-through ready
is to perform a thorough deep clean. Try imagining your
home as a hotel that’s about to welcome high-end guests. To
prepare, go room by room, wiping away each forgotten layer
of dust, polishing chrome faucets and mirrors, fluffing pillows,
waxing counters and floors, and washing all windows.
Outside, pressure wash the entire exterior of your
home including the sidewalks. This will give everyone
interested in your property a shining first impression
before they even walk through the door.
6. UP YOUR CURB APPEAL
An unmaintained curbside is an immediate turn off to
potential buyers. If the outside reflects poorly, how can they
trust the inside has been cared for? Be thorough when keeping
up appearances throughout the entire property. Patch up any
cracks that have accumulated on your front steps and walkway,
clean up your lawn and gardens, and consider investing
in professional lawn care. Small efforts like painting your
front door can also go a long way, drawing in extra positive
attention and showcasing a thoughtful finishing touch.
3. ORGANIZE BEDROOM CLOSETS
Like a storage area, cluttered and overstuffed closets
are a flag to potential buyers that your home may
be too small to hold all of their belongings.
Prepare your home to sell as if someone is going to view
each corner and crevasse. With the exception of clothing
hung up in the closets, everything should be folded or
packed into easily stackable storage containers. Keep
loose items to a bare minimum and don’t be afraid to
get rid of excess stuff you’ve been holding onto.
4. MAKE MINOR REPAIRS
The last thing a buyer wants to do is make repairs before
moving into their new home, so tackling that long overdue
"honey do" list can make or break a sale. Also, putting
CONTACT A FARIS TEAM REALTOR ®
While these tasks are tried and true when it comes to
preparing your home to sell, no two homes are alike. Book an
appointment with a qualified, local Realtor® from our team
to receive personalized recommendations for the sale of your
unique property. We’re here to help and go full out for you®!
Meet Mark Faris, CEO & Broker
Mark received his real estate license in 2007 at the age of
24. Together with his wife Joanna, who led the marketing,
Mark focused on redefining industry standards of quality.
Faris Team’s reputation quickly grew, becoming industry
leaders and selling well over 7,100 properties to date.
705.881.9001 | 3 | FarisTeam.ca